U.S. patent application number 10/288146 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-06 for apparatus and method for bagging ice.
Invention is credited to James, Charles.
Application Number | 20040084106 10/288146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32175839 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040084106 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
James, Charles |
May 6, 2004 |
Apparatus and method for bagging ice
Abstract
An ice-bagging apparatus that provides an establishment with the
ability to automatically and expeditiously produce, bag and store
bags of ice, thus maintaining a desired supply of bagged ice and
eliminating conventional methods of manual ice-bagging and reducing
the likelihood of unwanted bridging of the ice.
Inventors: |
James, Charles; (Marietta,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYERS & KAPLAN, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW, L.L.C.
1899 POWERS FERRY ROAD
SUITE 310
ATLANTA
GA
30339
US
|
Family ID: |
32175839 |
Appl. No.: |
10/288146 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/313 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 5/18 20130101; F25C
5/20 20180101; F25C 5/00 20130101; B65B 43/123 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/313 |
International
Class: |
B65B 003/04; B67C
003/00; B65B 001/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ice-bagging apparatus, comprising: means for producing ice;
means for bagging the produced ice; and means for dispensing the
bagged ice.
2. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for
producing ice is at least one icemaker.
3. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at
least one hopper for collecting the produced ice and for funneling
the collected ice into said means for bagging, said at least one
hopper further possessing at least one ice agitator.
4. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 3, wherein said means for
bagging comprises at least one box slidably engaged with at least
one tray positioned proximate to said at least one box, said at
least one box positioned proximate to said at least one hopper and
capable of receiving ice therefrom, and wherein said at least one
tray is positioned at an angle relative to said at least one
box.
5. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 4, wherein said at least one
box possesses at least one gravitationally encouraged drainage
channel.
6. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 4, wherein said at least one
box moves relative to said at least one tray, wherein said movement
results in the passage of ice through at least one aperture in said
at least one tray and into at least one bag, said at least one bag
received from said means for bagging via at least one roller
conveyor and at least one bag roll.
7. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for
bagging further possesses at least one hatch positioned proximate
to said at least one aperture in said at least one tray, wherein
said at least one bag received from said means for bagging is
positioned proximate to said at least one hatch and wherein said at
least one hatch pivotally channels ice from said at least one
aperture in said at least one tray into said at least one bag.
8. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 7, wherein said at least one
bag is opened via at least one blower and wherein said at least one
hatch prevents closure of said at least one bag during the filling
thereof.
9. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at
least one sealer to seal at least one bag filled with ice.
10. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at
least one rotator for receiving bagged ice from said means for
bagging, said at least one rotator being at least one container
rotatable via at least one motor.
11. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least
one rotator rotates via said at least one motor to deposit bagged
ice into said means for dispensing.
12. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means for
dispensing is at least one thermally insulated unit.
13. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for
dispensing is at least one storage unit.
14. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for
dispensing is at least one vending machine.
15. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at
least one control panel for computerized and electronic monitoring,
controlling and operation of said apparatus.
16. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means
for sensing operational parameters of said apparatus and for
sensing utilization of a selected make and type of bag, said means
for sensing selected from the group consisting of photoelectric
eyes, laser technology or barcode technology.
17. An ice-bagging apparatus, comprising: means for producing ice;
means for bagging the produced ice; means for dispensing the bagged
ice; means for controlling operation of said apparatus; and means
for sensing operational parameters of said apparatus.
18. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means for
producing ice is at least one icemaker.
19. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 17, further comprising at
least one hopper for collecting the produced ice and for funneling
the collected ice into said means for bagging, said at least one
hopper further possessing at least one agitator.
20. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 19, wherein said means for
bagging possesses at least one box positioned to receive ice from
said at least one hopper and wherein said box is slidably engaged
with at least one tray, said at least one tray positioned at an
angle relative to said at least one box.
21. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 20, wherein said at least
one box possesses at least one angled drainage channel.
22. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 20, wherein said at least
one box slidably moves relative to said at least one tray, the ice
is passed from said box through at least one aperture in said at
least one tray and into at least one bag, said at least one bag fed
from said means for bagging via at least one roller conveyor and
supplied by at least one bag roll.
23. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 22, wherein said means for
bagging further possesses at least one hatch positioned to
pivotally channel ice from said at least one aperture formed in
said at least one tray into said at least one bag.
24. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 23, wherein said at least
one bag is blown open and said at least one hatch facilitates the
deposit of ice therein.
25. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 17, further comprising at
least one heat sealer to heat-seal at least one bag filled with
ice.
26. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 17, further comprising at
least one rotator for receiving bagged ice from said means for
bagging, said at least one rotator being at least one motorized
rotatable container.
27. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 26, wherein said at least
one rotator rotates via at least one motor and deposits bagged ice
into said means for dispensing.
28. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 27, wherein said means for
dispensing is at least one thermally insulated unit.
29. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means for
dispensing is at least one storage unit.
30. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means for
dispensing is at least one vending machine.
31. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means for
controlling operation of said apparatus is at least one control
panel for computerized and electronical monitoring, controlling and
operation of said apparatus.
32. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means for
sensing accurate and proper operation of said apparatus and for
sensing utilization of a selected make and type of bag is selected
from the group consisting of photoelectric eyes, laser technology
or barcode technology.
33. An ice-bagging apparatus, comprising: at least one icemaker; at
least one collecting mechanism for collecting ice produced by said
at least one icemaker; at least one storing unit for storing the
ice bagged by said at least one bagging assembly; at least one
control panel for controlling operation of said apparatus; and at
least one sensing mechanism for sensing operation of said apparatus
and for sensing bag paramters.
34. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 33, wherein said at least
one collecting mechanism is at least one hopper, said at least one
hopper capable of funneling ice into said at least one bagging
assembly, said at least one hopper further possessing at least one
agitator for agitating ice deposited therein.
35. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 34, wherein said at least
one bagging assembly possesses at least one box slidably engaged
with at least one tray positioned beneath said at least one box,
said at least one box positioned under said at least one hopper and
capable of receiving ice therefrom, and wherein said at least one
tray is situated at an angle.
36. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 35, wherein said at least
one box possesses at least one drainage channel for channeling
melting ice and water away from solid ice deposited into said at
least one box by said at least one hopper, and wherein said at
least one tray assists in the drainage of melting ice and water
from said at least one box as a result of said at least one tray
being situated at an angle.
37. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 35, wherein said at least
one box slides up said at least one tray for depositing ice from
therein through at least one aperture formed in said at least one
tray and thereafter into at least one bag, said at least one bag
being fed through said at least one bagging assembly via at least
one roller conveyor and supplied by at least one bag roll.
38. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 37, wherein said at least
one bagging assembly further possesses at least one hatch
positioned under said at least one aperture formed in said at least
one tray, wherein said at least one bag to be filled with ice is
fed through said at least one bagging assembly and positioned under
said at least one hatch, said at least one hatch capable of
pivoting downward to channel ice falling through said at least one
aperture into said at least one bag.
39. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 38, wherein said at least
one hatch physically holds open the mouth of said at least one bag
to facilitate the deposit of ice therein, said mouth of said at
least one bag initially opened via at least one blower.
40. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 33, further comprising at
least one heat sealer to heat-seal at least one bag filled with
ice.
41. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 33, further comprising at
least one rotator for receiving bagged ice from said at least one
bagging assembly, said at least one rotator being at least one
container rotatable via at least one motor.
42. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 41, wherein said at least
one rotator rotates via said at least one motor to deposit bagged
ice into said at least one storing unit.
43. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 42, wherein said at least
one storing unit is at least one thermally insulated unit.
44. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 33, wherein said at least
one storing unit is at least one vending machine.
45. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 33, wherein said at least
one control panel for controlling operation of said apparatus
allows computerized and electronical monitoring, controlling and
operation of said apparatus.
46. The ice-bagging apparatus of claim 33, wherein said at least
one sensing mechanism is selected from the group consisting of
photoelectric eyes, laser technology or barcode technology.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to ice machines, and
more specifically to an ice-bagging apparatus and method thereof.
The present invention is particularly suitable for, although not
strictly limited to, automatically bagging ice for the continuous
supply thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Bagged ice may be found in most grocery stores, convenience
stores, gas stations and/or superstores. These bags are typically
stored in freezers on the premises of such locations. A concern for
most vendors of these establishments is the necessity of
maintaining an adequate supply of bagged ice for their customers.
Unfortunately, most establishments are not equipped with ice-making
and bagging facilities or machinery and are thus forced to rely on
shipments of bagged ice and consequently accept the potential delay
thereof, thus adversely affecting the establishment's customer
satisfaction and profit margin.
[0003] Although some establishments may be equipped with ice-making
machinery, most are typically not equipped with efficient and
automated ice-bagging machinery. Instead, such establishments often
have on-site employees manually fill individual bags with ice and
then load the individual bags into a freezer, thus resulting in a
highly inefficient and potentially unsanitary process. Furthermore,
bags manually filled with ice are generally not immediately placed
within a freezer to maintain solid state of the ice, but are
instead allowed to sit for a period of time on the floor or in a
basket or container where bridging/fusing of the ice results as a
consequence of the ice melting. As such, a customer purchasing
manually filled bags of ice is often burdened with having to break
a large clump or block of ice into useable pieces. Bags of ice
shipped or trucked to a grocery store are also subject to bridging
during transport of the ice bags from the delivery truck to inside
the store and then into the store's freezers.
[0004] Facilities that possess presently available ice making,
bagging and storing machine are still at a disadvantage, as the
technology of prior-art machines has generally remained
inefficient, thereby adversely affecting profitability. In
particular, most prior-art machines require augers to channel and
physically transport ice produced by the icemaker to a reservoir
for subsequent bagging. As such augers are typically slow in
transporting the ice to the reservoir and fail to incorporate
drainage mechanisms to assist in the channeling away of melting
ice, unwanted bridging/fusing of ice particles results, and as
such, utilization and incorporation of such augers is
disadvantageous. Furthermore, because such machinery may bag ice
based on weight of the collected ice within the reservoir, fused
clumps of ice are often deposited into the bags when the required
weight of ice, clumped or not, has been met. Consequently, the slow
speed and inefficiency of machinery incorporating such augers
directly impacts the number of bags of ice that can be produced
and, as such, has a direct and negative impact on sales volume and
profit of the establishment utilizing the machinery.
[0005] Moreover, prior-art ice making, bagging and storing machines
that incorporate hoppers for receipt of ice from the icemaker,
typically do not possess an agitator in the hopper to assist in
breaking up and/or agitating the ice particles/cubes so as to
prevent bridging. As a result, bags of ice yielded from these prior
art machines generally contain fused clumps of ice particles/cubes,
thereby inconveniencing the purchaser/customer by requiring him/her
to break apart the chunks of ice into smaller useable pieces.
[0006] Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for
an ice-bagging apparatus that provides an establishment with the
ability to automatically and continuously produce, bag and store
bags of non-bridged ice without the need of manual labor and/or
continuous monitoring of the machinery.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present
invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the
recognized need for such a device by providing an ice-bagging
apparatus and method that provides an establishment with the
ability to automatically and expeditiously produce, bag and store
bags of ice, thus maintaining a desired supply of bagged ice by
eliminating conventional methods of manual ice bagging and reducing
the likelihood of unwanted bridging of the ice particles/cubes.
[0008] According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the
present invention in its preferred form is an ice-bagging apparatus
having an icemaker, a hopper for receiving ice from the icemaker, a
slider box for receiving ice from the hopper and for channeling the
ice into a bag, a bagging mechanism for bagging the ice, a freezer
for storing the bagged ice and a control panel for managing and
monitoring said system.
[0009] More specifically, the present invention is an ice bagging
apparatus having an icemaker, a hopper for receiving ice from the
icemaker, a slider box positioned under the hopper for receiving
ice therefrom and for channeling the ice into a bag, wherein the
bag is fed through the apparatus via a bag supply mechanism. Once
filled with a desired amount of ice, the slider box slides/travels
along a slider tray and is preferably computer
programmed/electronically controlled to position itself over the
bag, wherein ice is subsequently deposited therein. Prior to
filling, the mouth of the bag is preferably blown open via a
blower/fan and manually/physically held open via a pivoting hatch
positioned just over the bag. The filled bag is then heat sealed
via heat sealers and then dropped into a rotator, wherein motors
rotate the rotator, allowing the bag to drop into a freezer/storage
unit. The entire process is preferably fully automated and/or
computer controlled, such that the speed of the machine can be
altered according to the desired production rate of bagged ice. The
apparatus further possesses laser eyes positioned at specified
points on the apparatus for reading the process of the apparatus at
various stages, he manufacturer of the apparatus for repair and/or
to store management depending upon the complexity of the problem.
Additionally, data can be collected and analyzed regarding the
volume of sales based on the number of bags utilized, the number of
cycles or the volume of ice produced.
[0010] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to continuously and automatically produce bags of ice, thus
constantly maintaining a desired supply of bags of ice.
[0011] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to send and receive computer signals for regular
maintenance and/or reporting.
[0012] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to drain water so as to reduce the likelihood of
bridging/fusing of ice particles during the ice making and bagging
processes.
[0013] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to function without the incorporation of augers as utilized
in prior-art machines, thus reducing the likelihood of bridging of
the ice.
[0014] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to permit and police the selection of a particular
type/brand of bag.
[0015] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
reduced size as compared to prior-art machines, thus reducing the
necessary footprint and consequently the costs of floor space.
[0016] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to manually/mechanically hold open a bag during the process
of filling the bag with ice.
[0017] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to agitate the ice held within the hopper, thus reducing
the likelihood of bridging of the ice.
[0018] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to function without the use of an auger as utilized in
prior art machines, thus enabling increased production rates.
[0019] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to reduce the vendor's overall cost of bagged ice.
[0020] A feature and advantage of the present invention is its
ability to correct and/or attempt to correct problems associated
with its components and/or machine parts, wherein problems that
require further investigation/repair are reported via a modem
and/or global networking system to a repair/servicing company or
the like.
[0021] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the
art from the following description and claims when read in light of
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The present invention will be better understood by reading
the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternate Embodiments
with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like
reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like
elements throughout, and in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an ice-bagging
apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an ice-bagging
apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an ice-bagging
apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an ice-bagging
apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the slider box of an
ice-bagging apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hatch and heat seal pad
of an ice-bagging apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side view of the bagging assembly of an
ice-bagging apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a side view of the bagging assembly and the
storage of an ice-bagging apparatus according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND CERTAIN ALTERNATIVE
EMBODIMENTS
[0031] In describing the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, and certain alternate
embodiments of the present invention, specific terminology is
employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not
intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and
it is to be understood that each specific element includes all
technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to
accomplish similar functions.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention in a
preferred embodiment is an apparatus 10, wherein apparatus 10 is an
ice-bagging apparatus having, in general, icemaker assembly 20,
bagging assembly 40, storage 140 and control panel 150. Preferably,
icemaker assembly 20 is positioned on and above bagging assembly
40, and bagging assembly 40 is preferably positioned on and above
storage 140. Bagging assembly 40 further preferably possesses
control panel 150 secured thereto, wherein control panel 150 is
preferably in computer/electronic communication with apparatus 10
in general, as more fully described below. One skilled in the art
would readily recognize that control panel 150 could be positioned
in any location on or near apparatus 10, wherein user accessibility
and functional communication between necessary components is
facilitated. Moreover, while the generally "stacked" arrangement is
preferred, the relative positions of icemaker assembly 20, bagging
assembly 40 and storage 140 could be alternatively configured,
wherein alternate and/or additional means of ice transport
therebetween could be incorporated or one unit housing
incorporating icemaker assembly 20, bagging assembly 40 and storage
140 could be utilized, wherein individual housings and apertures
therebetween could be modified and/or eliminated.
[0033] Icemaker assembly 20 is preferably a conventional icemaker
as known within the art, possessing icemaker 22 enclosed within
housing 24, wherein bottom wall 26 of housing 24 preferably
possesses aperture 28, and wherein aperture 28 is preferably
aligned with hopper 42 of bagging assembly 40 so as to permit ice
produced by icemaker 22 to enter through aperture 28 for receipt by
hopper 42, as more fully described below. To ensure the highest
quality of ice produced via icemaker 22, sediment filter 25 and UV
filter 27 are preferably disposed within icemaker assembly 20
and/or in line with the water source to preferably filter the water
prior to the production of ice therefrom.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, bagging assembly 40 is
preferably enclosed within a substantially rectangular housing 41,
wherein upper wall 41a of housing 41 possesses an aperture 42a
positioned over and aligned with mouth 44 of hopper 42, and wherein
hopper 42 is preferably inverted-pyramidal-shaped to facilitate the
funneling therein of ice cubes/particles produced by icemaker 22.
Aperture 42a is further preferably aligned with aperture 28 of
icemaker assembly 20, wherein ice produced by icemaker 22
preferably falls through aperture 28 of icemaker assembly 20,
through aperture 42a of housing 41 of bagging assembly 40, and then
into mouth 44 of hopper 42. Once hopper 42 is filled with a desired
amount of ice as dictated by control panel 150, ice collected
within hopper 42 is preferably channeled into slider box 60 through
aperture 43 of hopper 42, wherein slider box 60 is positioned
directly beneath hopper 42, as more fully described below.
[0035] Hopper 42 preferably possesses agitator 46, wherein agitator
46 preferably possesses a generally elongated-rectangular-shaped
arm 48 having first end 48a and second end 48b, wherein arm 48 is
preferably slidably engaged with slot 42c formed through wall 42b
of hopper 42.
[0036] Preferably formed through arm 48 is slot 50 preferably
having first end 50a and second end 50b, wherein first end 50a is
preferably positioned proximal first end 48a of arm 48, and wherein
second end 50b is preferably positioned proximal second end 48b of
arm 48. Preferably, pin 52 extends through throughhole 53a of
prong-shaped support bracket 53, wherein support bracket 53 is
preferably formed on edge 69 of slider box 60, and wherein pin 52
thereafter preferably extends through slot 50 and is slidably
engaged therewith, as best depicted in FIG. 2.
[0037] Preferably formed at second end 48b of arm 48 of agitator
46, and angled outwardly therefrom, are prongs 54 and 56, wherein
prongs 54 and 56 preferably assist in the agitation of ice within
hopper 42 upon the movement of arm 48 through slot 42c of hopper
42. Specifically, upon movement of slider box 60 over slider tray
80 (for purposes more fully described below), pin 52 of arm 48 of
agitator 46 preferably leaves first end 50a of slot 50 of arm 48
and slides through the length of slot 50 until pin 52 contacts
second end 50b of slot 50, whereupon pin 52 pushes arm 48 through
slot 42c of hopper 42, thus agitating ice collected therein via
prongs 54 and 56 of arm 48, thereby reducing/eliminating the
occurrence of bridging between the ice. While arm 48 and prongs 54
and 56 are preferably utilized to agitate ice collected in hopper
42, one skilled in the art with the benefit of the present
disclosure, would readily recognize that other shapes, agitation
means and/or mechanisms could be utilized to perform substantially
the same function without departing from the intended scope of the
present invention.
[0038] Referring now more specifically to FIG. 3-4, control panel
150 is preferably hingably connected to housing 41 of bagging
assembly 40 via hinges 151, wherein removal of spring-loaded pin
152 of control panel 150 from lock-hole 152 formed on housing 41 of
bagging assembly 40 preferably exposes hopper 42, thus permitting
the removal of hopper 42 from housing 41 via slidably removing
hopper 42 from support rails 47 and 49 positioned on and secured to
upper wall 41a of housing 41. To facilitate removal of hopper 42
from housing 41, pin 52 of arm 48 of agitator 46 is preferably
removed from throughhole 53a of support bracket 53 of slider box
60, thus permitting arm 48 to unlatch therefrom. Once removed from
housing 41, hopper 42 can then be sanitized and/or cleaned as
desired, thus further maintaining the sterility of ice deposited
therein.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 5, slider box 60 preferably possesses
a generally trapezoidal-shape and preferably has an aperture 62
formed through front area 60a of slider box 60, wherein slider tray
80 positioned under slider box 60 preferably serves as a bottom or
closure means for aperture 62, thus permitting slider box 60 to
maintain ice received from hopper 42 therein. To increase the
overall volumetric capacity of aperture 62 of slider box 60, front
wall 65 of slider box 60 is preferably slidably adjustable via
slot-and-bolt mechanisms 65a and 65b formed on side walls 60b and
60c, respectively, of slider box 60 and in communication with front
wall 65, wherein front wall 65 is preferably adjustable to enable
aperture 62 to receive 5 lbs, 10 lbs and/or 20 lbs of ice therein
for the subsequent generation of 5 lbs, 10 lbs and/or 20 lbs bags
of ice, respectively. Furthermore, front wall 65 preferably
possesses upwardly angled lip 65c formed thereon, wherein angled
lip 65c preferably abuts front edge 43c of aperture 43 of hopper 42
when slider box 60 is in a resting position, thus shunting the flow
of any vestigial ice particles from aperture 43 of hopper 42 (see
FIGS. 7-8). Although aperture 62 of slider box 60 is capable of
receiving 5 lbs, 10 lbs and/or 20 lbs of ice, it is contemplated in
an alternate embodiment that aperture 62 and/or front wall 65 could
be modified to receive any desired quantity of ice. Slider box 60
is preferably formed from a metal material, although other suitable
materials may be utilized, such as, for exemplary purposes only,
plastic.
[0040] Formed preferably along side walls 60b and 60c of slider box
60, proximal to angled region 60d of bottom wall 61 of slider box
60, are channels 64 and 66, respectively, wherein channels 64 and
66 preferably function to divert water and/or slurry from the ice
held within aperture 62 of slider box 60 and on slider tray 80, as
more fully described below. Additionally, formed preferably on
sides 60b and 60c of slider box 60 are rail engagers 68 and 70,
respectively, that preferably slidably engage rails 72 and 74
positioned along side walls 80a and 80b, respectively, of slider
tray 80, and ending in secured contact with front walls 80c and
80d, respectively of slider tray 80. Rail engagers 68 and 70 of
slider box 60 and respective rails 72 and 74 of slider tray 80
preferably permit slider box 60 to travel along slider tray 80 via
assistance from motor 89 (not shown) positioned under slider tray
80, thus permitting slider box 60 to deposit ice into bag 102, as
more fully described below. Furthermore, to ensure that slider box
60 slides the appropriate distance over, slider tray 80, slider box
60 preferably possesses trip bar 60e formed on side wall 60b of
slider box 60, wherein trip bar 60e preferably contacts and trips
switch 60f positioned proximal slider tray 80 and in computer
communication with control panel 150 (see FIG. 5), and wherein the
tripping of switch 60f by trip bar 60e preferably halts further
movement of slider box 60 over slider tray 80.
[0041] Slider tray 80 is preferably substantially
rectangular-shaped and is preferably formed from a metal material,
although other suitable materials may be utilized, such as, for
exemplary purposes only, plastic. Preferably, aperture 82 is formed
through bottom wall 84 of slider tray 80, wherein computer
activated/automated movement of slider box 60 along rails 72 and 74
preferably results in aperture 62 of slider box 60 being aligned
with and positioned over aperture 82 of slider tray 80, such that
ice collected and retained within slider box 60 is thereafter
deposited through aperture 62 of slider box 60 and then through
aperture 82 of slider tray 80 for subsequent receipt by bag 102, as
more fully described below. Furthermore, when slider box 60 slides
over slider tray 80, flat upper surface 67 of slider box 60,
proximal aperture 62 of front area 60a, preferably becomes
positioned under aperture 43 of hopper 42, thus shunting and/or
stopping any further ice from exiting aperture 43 of hopper 42.
[0042] Preferably, slider tray 80 is positioned on mount 96,
wherein mount 96 is preferably ramp-like so that slider tray 80 and
supported slider box 60 are preferably upwardly slanted and/or
angled relative to storage 140. Such preferred. slanting/angling of
slider tray 80 and supported slider box 60 gravitationally
encourages liquid and/or slurry formed within and on slider box 60
to travel downwardly and away from the ice held within aperture 62
of slider box 60 and on slider tray 80, wherein such water and/or
melting ice is preferably diverted through and down channels 64 and
66 of slider box 60 and into slider tray 80, whereupon water may be
drained therefrom via drainage spout 63 formed on slider tray 80
via assistance from attached hose 63A. This preferred configuration
reduces the likelihood of bridging/fusing of the ice cubes held
within aperture 62 due to excess water and/or melting ice.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, secured preferably to sides 96a
and 96b of mount 96 are ends 95a and 97a, respectively, of rails 95
and 97, respectively, wherein opposing ends 95b and 97b,
respectively, are preferably in communication with heat seal pad
98, and wherein heat seal pad 98 is preferably any suitable heat
seal pad as known within the art. Formed preferably on front face
96c of mount 96 is heat seal strip 99, wherein computer activated
sliding of heat seal pad 98 along rails 95 and 97 preferably
enables contact of heat seal pad 98 with heat seal strip 99, thus
heat sealing the top portion of an ice-filled bag 102 positioned
therebetween, as more fully described below. Furthermore, to
prevent a heat-sealed bag of ice 102 from sticking to heat seal
strip 99, spring-loaded kick-bar 99c positioned preferably over and
around heat seal strip 99 preferably springfully kicks forward,
thus pushing the heat-sealed bag of ice 102 off heat sealer 99,
wherein kick-bar 99c is preferably initially pushed inward upon
initial heat sealing of bag 102. Heat seal pad 98 is preferably
positioned beneath bottom wall 84 of slider tray 80 so as to
prevent heat seal pad 98 from interfering with the passage of ice
from aperture 82 of slider tray 80 into bag 102 positioned
thereunder.
[0044] Bag roll 100, preferably positioned behind angled region 60d
of slider box 60, preferably supplies bags 102 for the filling of
ice therein, wherein bags 102 are preferably joined and separable
via perforations 105 formed between each bag 102. Preferably, only
one side of bag 102 is attached to a preceding bag 102, wherein the
unattached or opposing side of bag 102 is preferably freely
openable so as to expose mouth 103 of bag 102 for the placement of
ice therein and therethrough. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, bag
roll 100 is preferably supported in housing 41 o ransported through
bagging assembly 40 and an individual bag 102 is preferably halted
under aperture 82 of slider tray 80, and preferably over rotator
130 for subsequent receipt of a filled bag of ice 102 therein, as
more fully described below. Upon bringing a bag 102 to a halt under
aperture 82, blower 106 preferably blows open bag 102 via tube 106a
and blower vent 106b, thus exposing mouth 103 for the placement of
ice therethrough and therein, wherein blower 106 is preferably a
conventional fan blower as known within the art, and wherein blower
vent 106b is preferably positioned within chute 111 and over bag
102, as more fully described below. Following the blowing open of
bag 102, control panel 150 preferably computer activates slider box
60 to slide up slider tray 80 via rails 72 and 74, resulting in
aperture 62 of slider box 60 aligning with and positioning over
aperture 82 of slider tray 80, such that ice collected and retained
within slider box 60 is thereafter deposited through aperture 62 of
slider box 60, through aperture 82 of slider tray 80, through chute
111 aligned therewith, and then through mouth 103 of bag 102 for
the collection of the ice therein. To enable selection of a
specific make, brand and/or type of bag 102, laser eyes 107
preferably read barcodes and color of bag 102 and/or other
signals/codes thereon as bags 102 are fed through bagging assembly
40, wherein utilization of improper bags preferably permits laser
eyes 107 to halt operation of bagging assembly 40, and apparatus 10
in general, via communication with control panel 150. Laser eyes
107 also preferably function to detect operational and/or
mechanical maintenance requirements associated with bag 102 and/or
bag roll 100, wherein such maintenance may include detecting when
bag roll 100 is on its last bag 102, and/or detecting strands of
adhesive tape typically utilized to connect one bag roll 100 to
another bag roll 100. Laser eyes 107 preferably flank roller
assembly 104, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. Although laser eyes
107 are preferred, any comparable assessment and/or data collection
means could be utilized such as, for exemplary purposes only,
infrared or ultraviolet or other scanning means.
[0045] Referring back to FIG. 5, preferably, lever 108 is
positioned on and in pivotal communication with edge 80e of
sidewall 80b of slider tray 80, and just forward of front wall 65
of slider box 60. Attached to lever 108 is end 110a of cable 110,
wherein pivotation of lever 108 preferably causes the subsequent
tensioning of attached cable 110. End 110b of cable 110 is
preferably attached to shovelhead-shaped hatch 112, wherein hatch
112 is preferably positioned proximate to aperture 82 of slider
tray 80, and proximate to mouth 103 of bag 102, and wherein hatch
112 preferably functions as a gate over bag 102, permitting ice to
be loaded therein only when hatch 112 is opened. Preferably,
tensioning of cable 110 causes hatch 112 to flip downward relative
to slider tray 80 and manually hold open bag 102, thus widening
mouth 103 of bag 102 and facilitating the filling of ice
therethrough and therein, wherein hatch 112 further functions as a
slide, channeling ice passing thereagainst through mouth 103 and
into bag 102. Halting and filling of bag 102 is further preferably
accurately guided/controlled via laser eyes 101 that preferably
flank heat seal pad 98, as best illustrated in FIG. 6. Laser eyes
101 are preferred for guidance and control, however one skilled in
the art would readily recognize that other means for sensory
guidance and control could be utilized such as, for exemplary
purposes only, infrared and ultraviolet mechanisms.
[0046] Upon completion of filling bag 102 with ice, slider box 60
preferably returns to its resting position, thus returning lever
108 to its resting position and causing hatch 112 to close, wherein
hatch 112 is preferably springfully urged shut via attached spring
116. Thereafter, control panel 150 preferably computer activates
the movement of heat seal pad 98 along rails 95 and 97, wherein
heat seal pad 98 preferably contacts heat seal strip 99 of mount
96, thus heat sealing the top portion of an ice-filled bag 102
positioned therebetween. Preferably during heat sealing of bag 102,
tines 114 formed on edge 98a of heat seal pad 98 preferably assist
in the separation of a filled bag of ice 102 from an unfilled bag
102 via mechanically perforating bags 102 from one another along
perforations 105 of bags 102, as best illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0047] Upon separation of ice-filled bag 102 from the preceding
unfilled bag 102, ice-filled bag 102 preferably drops into rotator
130, wherein rotator 130 is preferably positioned to receive
ice-filled bag 102. Rotator 130 is preferably a basket-like
container 132 having rotating motors 134 and 136 on opposing sides
132a and 132b, respectively, of container 132. Rotating motors 134
and 136 preferably function to rotate container 132 preferably 360
degrees, thus allowing ice-filled bag 102 to drop into storage 140
via aperture 142 formed in storage 140 and into container 132,
wherein container 132 preferably rotatably returns to its resting
position to receive another ice-filled bag 102 for subsequent
deposit into storage 140. Although 360 degrees is preferred, any
measure of rotational movement less than 360 degrees could be
utilized, wherein the deposit of ice-filled bags into storage 140
could continue to be enabled. To ensure proper rotation of rotator
130, laser eyes 138 preferably flank rotator 130 and signal control
panel 150 to remedy an improperly/incompletely rotated rotator
130.
[0048] Storage 140 is preferably any conventionally available
freezer utilized to maintain freezing temperatures of bagged ice
stored therein, wherein storage 140 preferably possesses an
aperture 142 formed preferably on top surface 140a of storage 140
and preferably positioned/aligned above rotator 130 for receipt of
bagged ice 102 therefrom. It is contemplated in an alternate
embodiment that storage 140 could possesses an automated swiveling
shifter positioned proximal aperture 142, wherein the shifter would
swing from side to side as bagged ice 102 is deposited into storage
140, thus enabling bagged ice 102 to be equally distributed
throughout storage 140.
[0049] Control panel 150 is preferably affixed to bagging assembly
40 and preferably is in electronic/computer control therewith.
Specifically, control panel 150 preferably electronically/computer
activates/controls all operations of icemaker assembly 20, bagging
assembly 40, storage 140 and apparatus 10 in general. Moreover,
upon encountering a problem/malfunction in the operations of
apparatus 10, control panel 150 preferably troubleshoots and
directs pre-programmed problem solving events to correct the
problem, whereupon the inability of control panel 150 to correct
the problem preferably results in control panel 150 sending a
message and/or signal to the manufacturer or other appropriately
authorized maintenance personnel for repair, and/or to store
management depending upon the complexity of the problem. Control
panel 150 preferably sends the signals via computer networking,
modems and/or global networking systems and/or via any other known
messaging/signaling technologies. Additionally, control panel 150
preferably signals store management regarding simple maintenance
issues including, but not limited to, bag roll 100 replacement
and/or replacement of sediment filters 25 and UV filters 27,
wherein such signaling may be via audible beeps/buzzers, warning
lights and/or other sensory mechanisms and/or known
messaging/signaling technologies.
[0050] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that bagging
assembly 40 of apparatus 10 could possess a plurality of bag rolls
100, wherein apparatus 10 could be further modified/altered to
facilitate the simultaneous bagging of a plurality of bags of ice
102.
[0051] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that bagging
assembly 40 could include a substantially continues roll of bags
having side seams only, wherein user-programmable selection of bag
size could be enabled, wherein heat sealing of two ends of the bag
could be enabled, and wherein an automated cutting mechanism could
be included to cut the newly sealed bag. Moreover, bagging assembly
40 could utilize two rolls of sealable plastic, wherein plastic
from each said roll could form one side of the ice bag, wherein the
sides and the bottom could be heat sealed to form the bag, and
wherein the bag could be cut.
[0052] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that bagging
assembly 40 could utilize continuous feed bags with zipper-type
closure means incorporated thereon, wherein sealing of filled bags
could be accomplished without the application of heat.
[0053] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that icemaker
assembly 20, bagging assembly 40 and storage 140 of apparatus 10
could be situated adjacent one another and in adjacent
communication with one another.
[0054] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that apparatus
10 could be manufactured without storage 140, wherein storage 140
would be replaced with a receptacle, such that a customer would
utilize a keypad or the like to enter the numerical amount of
bagged ice desired, and thereafter receive freshly bagged ice
deposited into the receptacle by apparatus 10.
[0055] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that apparatus
10 could be equipped with a volumetric drum to further assist in
the measurement and dispensing of a specified quantity of ice.
[0056] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that apparatus
10 could be equipped with multiple icemaker assemblies 20, multiple
hoppers 40, multiple slider boxes 60 and multiple slider trays for
the simultaneous bagging of multiple bags of ice 102.
[0057] It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that apparatus
10 could be modified and/or altered to deposit ice-filled bags 102
through more than one aperture in storage 140, thus permitting
ice-filled bags 102 to be evenly distributed within storage
140.
[0058] Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the
within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other
alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention
is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but
is limited only by the following claims.
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